A friend of mine who is not an avid gamer was in Las Vegas last week and sent me an email about this unique form of BJ at the Casino Royale on the strip. Apparently it works when you play 2 hands. after the 1st 2 cards are dealt you can switch the last 2 from one hand to the other if you want! I have not got any more info from him or the casino on further rules....like if you do a switch you forfeit your right to split or double???? This sounds like an interesting option to have. :) Anyone else ever heard of this or even played it?

Please be careful when using statements like, "You will get a Blackjack 15% of the time".

A probability figure is never a guarantee of what WILL happen. That may sound picky, but the difference in wording is critical.

Also, when you say, "I think this certainly justifies a 50% increase ...". It really has nothing to do with "thinking" or "certainly". It either justifies it or it doesn't. Do the math, and you'll get your answer -- but be sure your asumptions are accurate (the 5% and 7.5%).

My point is simply to be careful of the wording you use when talking mathematics.

Please be careful when using statements like, "You will get a Blackjack 15% of the time".

A probability figure is never a guarantee of what WILL happen. That may sound picky, but the difference in wording is critical.

Also, when you say, "I think this certainly justifies a 50% increase ...". It really has nothing to do with "thinking" or "certainly". It either justifies it or it doesn't. Do the math, and you'll get your answer -- but be sure your asumptions are accurate (the 5% and 7.5%).

My point is simply to be careful of the wording you use when talking mathematics.

Thanks!

Hi PhilTx,Not too sure of your exact point, however, I agree that although the mathematical content is correct it could have been worded more precisely.I should have said that you would 'expect' to get 'Blackjacks' 15% of the time by playing 'BJ Switch' and that, on average, this would be divided over the 2 hands to expect 7.5% 'Blackjacks' on each hand.Furthermore, you would expect to get roughly 5% 'Blackjacks' playing a regular Blackjack game.

Obviously, the more hands you play then the closer you get to the expected figures.

So, a player should expect to get roughly 50% more 'Blackjacks' playing BJ Switch.

Also, I agree with you that 'certainly' and 'think' do not fit correctly in the same sentence so I would restate by saying that "The even money on 'Blackjacks' is justified due to the additional 'Blackjacks' gained by switching cards".

Unlike 6/5 'Blackjack' where, in my opinion, the reduced payout is not justified.

If 'Blackjacks' were paid at 3/2, in BJ Switch, then the player would have an edge of around 7.5%. A very justifiable reason why casinos cannot offer those odds.

Of course, a version could be designed whereby 'Blackjacks' paid 3/2 but it would be at a cost of implementing other rules to claw this 7.5% back. I suppose that there would be players who would rather receive 3/2 on 'Blackjacks' even if it meant giving up other rules in the game, for example dealer pushing on 22 and 23.

I suppose that 6/5 'Blackjack' has given players reason to avoid games where 'Blackjacks' pay less than 3/2. I was stating that it was not the case with BJ Switch, more a necessity.